Thursday, Second Week of Easter: April 12

Apr 12, 2018

He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. (John 3: 34)

We have a savior! Alleluia! Easter joy fills our hearts at this time of year. And yet the first reading today reminds us that true and faithful followers of Jesus were called before the Sanhedrin to remind the apostles that they had been ordered to cease sharing the Good News. Just as they refused, we can question ourselves about any hesitations we have experienced to share the Good News.

In Psalm 34, we see two promises: “many are the troubles of the just” and “out of them all the Lord delivers.” If our sharing the Good News follows the pattern of the lives of the apostles, we are called to be authentic witnesses to Jesus and his message. And we are forewarned that this stance will bring on “troubles” that are within our abilities to confront and overcome, with God’s inspiration and guidance.

Is it possible to confront and overcome? Yes! With God’s grace, we too receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.